NCLEX RN Practice Questions Quizlet Related

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A healthcare provider calls a physician with the concern that a patient has developed a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following symptoms has the healthcare provider most likely observed?

  • A. The patient is somnolent with decreased response to stimuli.
  • B. The patient suddenly complains of chest pain and shortness of breath.
  • C. The patient has developed a wet cough and the healthcare provider hears crackles on auscultation of the lungs.
  • D. The patient has a fever, chills, and loss of appetite.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'The patient suddenly complains of chest pain and shortness of breath.' Typical symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain, shortness of breath, and severe anxiety. The physician should be notified immediately. Clinical signs and symptoms for pulmonary embolism are nonspecific; therefore, patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism"?because of unexplained dyspnea, tachypnea, or chest pain or the presence of risk factors for pulmonary embolism"?must undergo diagnostic tests until the diagnosis is ascertained or eliminated or an alternative diagnosis is confirmed. Choices A, C, and D describe symptoms that are not typically associated with a pulmonary embolism, making them incorrect.